Residential delivery indicator

ABSTRACT

This invention provides methods, apparatus, and systems for classifying addresses. An address is evaluated based upon a postal code or standardized postal code, such as a U.S. Postal Service ZIP+4 code, serving the address. If the address cannot be classified based on the standardized postal code, the address is classified based on additional information, such as a U.S. Postal Service delivery point code. A mailer may then determine whether the address is a business or residential (or non-business) address. Furthermore, a mailer may predict when surcharges may apply and compare the rates of various carriers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/311,466, filed Dec. 16, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,962,421,which is a national stage entry of PCT/US02/08835, filed on Mar. 25,2002, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/277,949, entitled “RESIDENTIAL DELIVERY INDICATOR,” filed on Mar. 23,2001, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to classifying addresses. Moreparticularly, it relates to methods, apparatus, and systems forclassifying delivery addresses for pieces of mail.

BACKGROUND

Mailing addresses are generally classified as either business (orcommercial) or residential (or non-business). Many carriers, such as anon-U.S. Postal Service carrier, may apply a surcharge for a mail piecebased on the classification of the address for the mail piece. Forexample, many carriers apply a surcharge when delivering a mail piece toa residential address. These surcharges can add significant cost to thedelivery rate for a mail piece.

Typically, a mailer makes a shipping decision by selecting betweenseveral carriers based upon costs, such as the delivery rate.Unfortunately, due to surcharges, determining the delivery rate ofvarious carriers when making the shipping decision can be difficult. Forexample, many carriers do not inform mailers of addresses wheresurcharges apply or only identify surcharges on outbound shippingmanifests. Thus, a mailer is often unable to accurately compare costs ofdifferent carriers when making a shipping decision.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to identify the classification of anaddress prior to shipping to determine if any surcharges may apply.Furthermore, it would be desirable to overcome these and othershortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles of thepresent invention, an address is classified. A standardized postal codeand a delivery point code is determined for the address. Based on thestandardized postal code, a first table is searched. When thestandardized postal code is found within the first table, a firstclassification for the address is provided. When the standardized postalcode is not found within the first table, a second table is searchedbased on the delivery point. When the delivery point code is foundwithin the second table, the first classification for the address isprovided.

In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles ofthe present invention, an address is classified. A standardized postalcode is determined for the address. Based on the standardized postalcode, a table is searched. When the standardized postal code is foundwithin the table, the classification for the address is provided.

In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles ofthe present invention, a carrier to deliver a piece of mail isdetermined. Address information indicating a destination for the pieceof mail is received. Based on the address information, a classificationfor the destination is determined. At least one or a plurality carriersis selected to deliver the piece of mail based on the classification forthe destination.

In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles ofthe present invention, a piece of mail is classified. Addressinformation indicating a destination for a piece of mail is received.Based on the address information, a first parameter is determined. Basedon the first parameter, a second parameter is identified. Aclassification for the destination for the piece of mail is determinedbased on at least one of the first and second parameters.

In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles ofthe present invention, address information indicating a destination fora piece of mail is received. Based on the address information, a firstparameter is determined. Based on the first parameter and the addressinformation, a second parameter is determined. A classification for thedestination for the piece of mail is determined based on at least one ofthe first and second parameters.

In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles ofthe present invention, a system comprises an input, a first table, asecond table, and a processor. The input receives address informationindicating a destination of a piece of mail. The first table storesinformation relating to a first number identifying an area of thedestination for the piece of mail. The second table stores informationrelating to a second number identifying the destination for the piece ofmail. The processor determines a classification for the destination forthe piece of mail based on at least one of the first and second numbers.

In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles ofthe present invention, a computer readable comprises: a plurality ofinformation indicating standardized postal codes assigned to areas thatconsist of addresses classified as a business; program code fordetermining a standardized postal code for a destination for a piece ofmail, and determining the classification for the destination for thepiece of mail based on the determined standardized postal code and theplurality of information indicating standardized postal codes.

In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles ofthe present invention, a computer readable medium comprises: a firsttable that includes a plurality of entries indicating standardizedpostal codes assigned to areas that consist of addresses classified as abusiness; a second table that includes a plurality of entries indicatingdelivery point codes for addresses classified as a business; programcode for determining a standardized postal code and a delivery pointcode for a destination of a piece of mail, and determining aclassification of the destination for the piece of mail based on thefirst table, the second table, the determined standardized postal codefor the destination, and the determined delivery point code for thedestination.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Thefeatures and advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a system for classifying delivery addresses and selecting acarrier, in accordance with methods, apparatus, and systems consistentwith the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a mailer, in accordance with methods,apparatus, and systems consistent with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 shows a first table, in accordance with methods, apparatus, andsystems consistent with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a second table, in accordance with methods, apparatus, andsystems consistent with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a process for selecting a carrier, in accordance withmethods, apparatus, and systems consistent with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a method for classifying an address, inaccordance with methods, apparatus, and systems consistent with theprinciples of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a method for classifying an address,in accordance with methods, apparatus, and systems consistent with theprinciples of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of theinvention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

By classifying an address, such as a U.S. Postal Service deliveryaddresses, a mailer may anticipate when a carrier may apply a surchargeprior to shipping. An address may first be classified based upon apostal code, such as a ZIP+4 code, serving the address. If the addresscannot be classified based on the postal code, then the address may beclassified based upon additional information, such as a U.S. PostalService delivery point code. For example, some ZIP+4 codes may includeboth business and residential (or non-business) addresses. Based uponthe classification, a mailer may then determine the delivery rates ofone or more carriers for a mail piece including, for example, surchargesfor delivering to residential addresses.

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 for classifying delivery addresses andselecting a carrier, in accordance with methods, apparatus, and systemsconsistent with the principles of the present invention. As shown,system 100 includes a mail piece 102, a mailer 104, a carrier 106, and adestination 108.

Mailpiece 102 may be any item of mail, such as a letter or package.Mailpiece 102 may include an address (not shown) indicating thedestination for delivering mailpiece 102. The address may includeinformation, such as street number; street name; city; state, province,or county; and a postal code, the postal code may be alphabetical only,alphanumeric, or pure numeric, such as a U.S. Postal Service ZIP code.The postal code may identify an area in which the destination islocated. The postal code may represent a geographic area, one or morebuildings, or a single business (or company). In addition, the addressmay include a standardized postal code, such as a ZIP+4 code.

Mailer 104 may be any entity that sends mailpiece 102. For example,mailer 104 may be a person, a business, or an organization. Mailer 104may include a server 110 and a storage platform 112.

Server 110 may be implemented on a general purpose computer, such as apersonal computer. For example, server 110 may be implemented on acomputer executing the Windows operating system. Alternatively, server110 may be implemented using the UNIX operating system.

Storage platform 112 may be implemented on known storage or memorydevices. For example, storage platform 112 may be implemented in adatabase, a hard disk drive, a compact disk drive, or other types ofmemory. Although storage platform 112 is shown within mailer 104,storage platform 112 may be accessed across a network (not shown), suchas a local area network or wide area network. For example, mailer 104may remotely access storage platform 112 across the Internet. Server 110and storage platform 112 are further described with reference to FIG. 2.

Carrier 106 may be any entity which transports or delivers mail. Forexample, in one embodiment carrier 106 may be the U.S. Postal Service.Although FIG. 1 shows one carrier, system 100 may include multiplecarriers including non-U.S. Postal Service carriers.

Destination 108 is the location to which mailpiece 102 is directed. Forexample, destination 108 may be classified as a business (or commercial)location, or a residential (or non-business) location, such as a houseor apartment. In one embodiment, destination 108 may classified by theU.S. Postal Service as either a “business” address or a “residential”address. Other classifications, such as “post office box” or “generaldelivery”, may also be used.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of mailer 104, in accordance with methods,apparatus, and systems consistent with the principles of the presentinvention. As shown, server 110 may include an interface module 202, anaddress engine 204, a control module 206, a hashing module 208, a queryengine 210, a selection module 212, and an output module 214. Inaddition, storage platform 112 may include a postal code-based table216, and a delivery point code-based table 218.

Interface module 202 receives information indicating the destination ofmailpiece 102. Interface module 202 may receive information, such as astreet number, a street address, a city, a state, a postal code (such asa ZIP code), a standardized postal code (such as a ZIP+4 code), or adestination code, such as a U.S. Postal Service delivery point code. Adestination code may provide more detailed information to identify adestination for mailpiece 102 and may include any combination of textand numerals. For example, a U.S. Postal Service delivery point code mayuniquely identify a single destination based on the destination'sstandardized postal code and digits from the street address.

Interface module 202 may receive information based on informationentered by a user; information read from mailpiece 102, such as via anoptical scanner; information read from a list (or table), such as amanifest; or data read from a file or computer readable medium.Interface module 202 may be implemented using any combination ofhardware and software. For example, interface module 202 may includedevices such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a display. In addition,interface module 202 may include software implemented in program code,such as MICROFOCUS™ COBOL.

Address engine 204 may verify or complete the information indicating thedestination of mailpiece 102. For example, interface module 202 mayreceive a Postal Service address, or a portion of the Postal Serviceaddress for mailpiece 102. Address engine 204 may then verify orcomplete the information received by interface module 202. For example,a ZIP+4 code and delivery point code may be determined for a PostalService address using a utility, such as the U.S. Postal Service “CodingAccuracy Support System” (CASS™) application. The CASS™ application usesa file known as the “Delivery Sequence File” (DSF) to determine whethera mailer's address matches a U.S. Postal Service standardized address.Other types of address engines for verifying or completing deliveryaddresses may be used in server 110. Address engine 204 may also beimplemented as a separate application external to server 110.

Alternatively, server 110 may be implemented without address engine 204.For example, interface module 202 may require that received informationconform with U.S. Postal Service standardized address information.

Control module 206 controls the operation of server 110 and theclassification of the information indicating the destination ofmailpiece 102. For example, control module 206 may receive informationfrom interface module 202, calculate a hash using hashing module 208,and search information in storage platform 112 using query engine 210.Control module 206 may be implemented using program code, such asMICROFOCUS™ COBOL. Other functions may also be performed by controlmodule 206.

Hashing module 208 may calculate hash values based on the informationindicating the destination of mailpiece 102. As is well-known to thoseskilled in the art, a “hash” is a mathematical value calculated from aninput value using a mathematical rule, or algorithm. In module 208, ahash is calculated or generated using an algorithm such that a smallchange in a base value produces a large change in the hash value.Hashing algorithms may be designed as “one-way” algorithms, such thatthe original base value cannot be recreated from a hash. Hashing mayprovide improved security, such as if server 110 and storage platform122 are communicating across a network.

In addition, hashing may be used to allow for more efficient searching.Postal codes, standardized postal codes, and delivery point codes oftenare “clustered” due to concentrations in population. For example, U.S.Postal Service postal codes beginning with “9” are a known cluster forthe state of California. Hashing allows a cluster to be “spread” outover a greater range of values and, thus, may allow for more efficientsearching.

In one embodiment, hashing module 208 uses version 1 of the SecureHashing Algorithm (SHA-1). The SHA-1 algorithm is a known algorithmdeveloped by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)along with the National Security Agency. FIPS PUB 180-1, FederalInformation Processing Standards (Apr. 17, 1995), titled “Specificationfor Secure Hash Standard,” describes, inter alia, the implementation ofthe SHA-1 algorithm. However, hashing module 208 may use any hashingalgorithm.

Query engine 210 processes queries and searches for information fromstorage platform 112. For example, query engine 210 may queryinformation from storage platform 112 based on information, such as apostal code, to determine a classification of the destination formailpiece 102. Query engine 210 may be implemented using any combinationof known hardware or software. For example, query engine 210 may beimplemented in software using program code, such as MICROFOCUS™ COBOL.

Selection module 212 may select a carrier, such as the U.S. PostalService, from among a group of carriers. Selection module 212 may selecta carrier based on the information indicating the destination ofmailpiece 212 and the classification of the destination. For example,selection module 212 may calculate a delivery rate that includessurcharges for certain classifications, such as residential addresses,for each carrier. Based on the calculated delivery rate, selectionmodule 212 may select one or more carriers from the group of carriers.Selection module 212 may select the one or more carrier based on avariety of factors, such as cost, or time for delivery. For example,selection module 212 may select a carrier based on delivery rate.

Output module 214 provides information to carrier 106 for deliveringmailpiece 102 to destination 108. For example, output module 214 mayprovide the address for destination 108 and the determinedclassification for destination 108. Output module 214 may provide theclassification for destination 108 using an indicator, such as yes/no,or business/residential, to indicate the determined classification fordestination 108. Output module 214 may provide the information in avariety of ways, such as a display, a printer, or data in a file.

As shown in FIG. 2, mailer 104 may also include storage platform 112.Storage platform 112 may further include delivery point code-based table216 and postal code-based table 218. Delivery point code based table 216may include entries based on postal service delivery point codes andindicate a respective classification, such as business or residential.For example, in one embodiment, delivery point code-based table 216 mayinclude delivery point codes for addresses classified as businesses incertain U.S. Postal Service delivery areas, such as delivery areashaving both business and residential addresses. Delivery-point-codebased table 216 is further described with reference to FIG. 4.

Postal code-based table 218 may include entries based on standardizedpostal codes and indicate a respective classification, such as businessor residential. For example, in one embodiment, postal code-based table218 may include entries based on standardized postal codes, such asZIP+4 codes, that exclusively contain addresses classified asbusinesses. Postal code-based table 218 is further described withreference to FIG. 3.

Delivery point code-based table 216 and postal code-based table 218 maybe created in a wide variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment,tables 216 and 218 may be created from the “Delivery Point File” (DPF)maintained by the Address Management Service of the U.S. Postal Service.Alternatively, tables 306 and 308 may be created based on the “DeliverySequence File” (DSF) also maintained by the U.S. Postal Service. The DPFand DSF are computerized files that contain all delivery point addressesserviced by the U.S. Postal Service, with the exception of generaldelivery. In the DPF and DSF, each delivery point is a separate recordthat conforms to U.S. Postal Service addressing standards.

Each record may contain the ZIP+4 code, carrier route code, deliverysequence, delivery type, and seasonal delivery information. Thus, theDPF or DSF may be used to create tables which allow for: addressvalidation; address standardization; ZIP+4 coding; carrier route coding;delivery sequence; detection of addresses that are potentiallyundeliverable for reasons other than a change of address; delivery-typecode information that indicates whether the address is classified, forexample, as residential or business; and seasonal delivery information.However, any way of creating tables based on ZIP+4 codes and deliverypoint codes is consistent with the principles of the present invention.

Tables 216 and 218 may be maintained in a wide variety of ways. Forexample, in one embodiment, tables 216 and 218 are updated on a periodicbasis, such as, monthly or weekly. Alternatively, tables 216 and 218 maybe provided on a periodic basis using a storage medium, such as, aCD-ROM. Tables 216 and 218 may also be provided via a download over anetwork using, for example, a file transfer protocol (FTP) download overthe Internet. Other known ways of maintaining tables 216 and 218 areconsistent with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a first table, such as postal code-based table 218, inaccordance with methods, apparatus, and systems consistent with theprinciples of the present invention. As shown, postal code-based table218 includes a postal-code-based index column 302, and an addressclassification column 304.

Postal-code-based index column 302 includes information based onstandardized postal codes. For example, in one embodiment,postal-code-based index column 302 includes hash values for standardizedpostal codes, such as U.S. Postal Service ZIP+4 codes.

Address classification column 304 includes information to indicate arespective classification for a particular standardized postal code. Forexample, address classification column 304 may include indicators, suchas yes/no or residential/business.

Alternatively, in one embodiment, address classification column 304 maybe eliminated from postal code-based table 218. For example,postal-code-based index column 302 may include only hash values forZIP+4 codes that exclusively contain addresses classified as businessesand, thus, address classification column 304 may not be needed.

FIG. 4 shows a second table, such as delivery point code-based table216, in accordance with methods, apparatus, and systems consistent withthe principles of the present invention. As shown, delivery pointcode-based table 216 includes a delivery-point-code-based index column402, and an address classification column 404.

Delivery-point-code-based index column 402 includes information based onU.S. Postal Service delivery point codes. For example, in oneembodiment, delivery-point-code-based index column 402 includes hashvalues of U.S. Postal Service delivery point codes.

Address classification column 404 includes information to indicate arespective classification for a particular delivery point code. Forexample, address classification column 404 may include indicators, suchas yes/no or residential/business.

Alternatively, in one embodiment, address classification column 404 maybe eliminated from delivery point code-based table 216. For example,delivery-point-code-based index column 402 may only include hash valuesfor delivery point codes for addresses classified as businesses and,thus, address classification column 404 may not be needed.

FIG. 5 shows a process for selecting a carrier, in accordance withmethods, apparatus, and systems consistent with the principles of thepresent invention. In step 500, mailer 104 determines addressinformation indicating a destination for mailpiece 102. For example, auser may provide a U.S. Postal Service standardized address to interfacemodule 202. Optionally, interface module 202 may verify or complete theaddress information and, for example, determine a U.S. Postal Servicedelivery point code. Alternatively, a user may provide a portion of theaddress information, such as a postal code, standardized postal code, ordelivery point code.

In step 502, mailer 104 determines a classification for the destinationof mailpiece 102. For example, control module 206 calculate a hash valuebased on the delivery point code and provide the hash value to queryengine 210. Query engine 210 may then search delivery point code-basedtable 216 or ZIP+4 based 218 based on the hash value. Based on thesearch of either table, control module 206 then determines theclassification for the destination of mailpiece 102.

In step 504, mailer 104 selects a carrier. For example, control module206 may provide the address information and the classification for thedestination of mailpiece 102 to selection module 212. Selection module212 may then select one or more carriers from a group of carriers basedon the address information and the classification. Selection module 212may then provide information, such as the address information andclassification to output module 214. Output module 214 may then pass theaddress information and classification to the selected carrier.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a method for classifying an address, inaccordance with methods, apparatus, and systems consistent with theprinciples of the present invention. In step 600, mailer 104 determinesaddress information indicating the destination of mailpiece 102. Forexample, interface module 202 may receive information, such as a streetnumber, a street address, a city, a state, a postal code, such as a ZIPcode, a standardized postal code, such as a ZIP+4 code, or a destinationcode, such as a U.S. Postal Service delivery point code. In addition,address engine 204 may optionally verify or complete the addressinformation received by interface module 202.

In step 602, postal code-based table 218 is searched based upon theaddress information. For example, control module 206 may determine astandardized postal code based on the address information received byinterface module. The standardized postal code may be directly entered,or may be derived from the U.S. Postal Service delivery point code. Forexample, the standardized postal code may be extracted from nine-digitsin the delivery point code.

Control module 206 may then provide the standardized postal code tohashing module 208. Hashing module 208 may calculate a hash value of thestandardized postal code and provide the hash value to control module206. Control module 206 may provide the hash value to query engine 210.Query engine 210 may then search postal code-based table 218 based onthe hash value.

In step 604, query engine 210 determines whether the hash value matchesan entry in postal code-based table 218. A match may indicate therespective classification for the destination of mailpiece 102. Forexample, as discussed above, postal code-based table 218 may includepostal codes that exclusively contain addresses classified asbusinesses. If a match is found, processing then flows to step 606. If amatch is not found, then processing flows to step 608.

In step 606, query engine 210 reports to control module 206 that a matchwas found. Control module 206 may then classify the destination formailpiece 102 based on the match. For example, control module 206 mayclassify the destination for mailpiece 102 as a business address basedon finding a match in postal code-based table 218. In addition, controlmodule 206 may provide an indicator, such as yes/no orresidential/business for the destination for mailpiece 102. Controlmodule 206 may use other forms of indicators. Furthermore, controlmodule 206 may provide the indicator to carrier 106, or a user.

If a match is not found, then in step 608 query engine 210 may searchdelivery point code-based table 216. For example, query engine 210 mayreport to control module 206 that a match was not found in postalcode-based table 218. Control module 206 may then determine a U.S.Postal Service delivery point code for the destination of mailpiece 102.Control module 206 may provide this delivery point code to hashingmodule 208. Hashing module 208 may calculate a hash value based on thedelivery point code and provide the hash value to control module 206.Control module 206 may provide the delivery point code hash value toquery engine 210. Query engine 210 may then search delivery pointcode-based table 216 based on delivery point code hash value.

In step 610, query engine 210 determines whether the delivery point codehash value matches an entry in delivery point code-based table 216. Amatch may also indicate the classification of the destination formailpiece 102. For example, delivery point code-based table 216 mayinclude only delivery point codes for addresses classified asbusinesses. Alternatively, delivery point code-based table 216 mayinclude only delivery point codes for addresses classified asresidential. If a match is found, then processing flows to step 612. Ifa match is not found, then processing flows to step 614.

In step 612, query engine 210 may report to control module 206 that amatch was found in delivery point code-based table 216. For example, inone embodiment, control module 206 may classify the destination formailpiece 102 as a business address based on finding a match. Inaddition, control module 206 may provide an indicator to report theclassification.

In step 614, query engine may report to control module 206 that a matchwas not found. For example, as discussed above, since delivery pointcode-based table 216 may only include business addresses, control module206 may then assume that the destination for mailpiece 102 is aresidential address. In addition, control module 206 may provide anindicator to report the classification.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a method for classifying an address,in accordance with methods, apparatus, and systems consistent with theprinciples of the present invention. In step 700, mailer 104 determinesaddress information indicating the destination of mailpiece 102.

In step 702, postal code-based table 218 is searched based upon theaddress information. For example, control module 206 may determine astandardized postal code based on the address information received byinterface module. The standardized postal code may be directly entered,or may be derived from, for example, a U.S. Postal Service deliverypoint code.

Control module 206 may then provide the standardized postal code tohashing module 208. Hashing module 208 may calculate a hash value of thestandardized postal code and provide the hash value to control module206. Control module 206 may provide the hash value to query engine 210.Query engine 210 may then search postal code-based table 218 based onthe hash value.

In step 704, query engine 210 determines whether the hash value matchesan entry in postal code-based table 218. A match may indicate therespective classification for the destination of mailpiece 102. Forexample, as discussed above, postal code-based table 218 may includepostal codes that exclusively contain addresses classified asbusinesses. If a match is found, processing then flows to step 706. If amatch is not found, then processing flows to step 708.

In step 706, query engine 210 reports to control module 206 that a matchwas found. Control module 206 may then classify the destination formailpiece 102 based on the match. For example, control module 206 mayclassify the destination for mailpiece 102 as a business address basedon finding a match in postal code-based table 218. In addition, controlmodule 206 may provide an indicator, such as yes/no orresidential/business for the destination for mailpiece 102. Furthermore,control module 206 may provide the indicator to carrier 106, or a user.

If a match is not found, then in step 708 query engine 210, as analternative to searching delivery point code-based table 216, controlmodule 206 may calculate a probability for classifying the destinationof mailpiece 102. For example, a study by the U.S. Postal Servicerevealed that: about 87% of all ZIP+4 codes exclusively serveresidential addresses; about 8.5% of ZIP+4 codes exclusively servebusiness addresses; and about 4.5% ZIP+4 codes serve both residentialand business addresses. For example, if postal code-based table 218includes only residential addresses (e.g., 87% of the ZIP+4 codes) andif query engine 210 does not find a match, then control module 206 maydetermine that a 35% probability remains that the destination formailpiece 102 may be a residential address.

In step 710, control module 206 may then classify the destination formailpiece 102 based on the determined probability. For example, controlmodule 206 may determine the classification based on a thresholdprobability, such as 50%. Alternatively, control module 206 may reportthat the destination for mailpiece 102 could not be definitivelyclassified, provide a possible classification and the determinedprobability of the classification using, for example, a windows messageor an email.

Although implementation aspects are depicted as being stored in memory,one skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of methods,apparatus, and systems consistent with the present invention may bestored on or read from other computer-readable media, such as secondarystorage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, and CD-ROM.

Although specific components of the present invention have beendescribed, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods,apparatus, and systems consistent with the present invention may containadditional or different components. Other embodiments of the inventionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It isintended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplaryonly, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated bythe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for providing aclassification of an address, comprising: determining, by a processor, astandardized postal code for the address; searching a table for thestandardized postal code; providing the classification for the addressfrom information in the table, when the standardized postal code isfound within the table; determining, by the processor, a probability ofthe classification for the address, when the standardized postal code isnot found within the table; providing the classification for the addressbased on the probability; and selecting at least one of a plurality ofcarriers to deliver the piece of mail based on the classification forthe address and the determined probability.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein determining the probability of the classification for theaddress, when the standardized postal code is not found within the tablecomprises: calculating a portion of the plurality of addresses having asame classification in the standardized postal code; and determining theprobability of the classification for the address based on the portionof the plurality of addresses having the same classification.
 3. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions fordetermining a carrier to deliver a piece of mail that when executed by aprocessor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:receiving address information indicating a destination for the piece ofmail, the destination including a standardized postal code for thedestination; searching a table for the standardized postal code;providing a classification for the destination from information in thetable when the standardized postal code is found within the table;determining a probability of the destination having the classificationwhen the standardized postal code is not found within the table; whenthe determined probability is greater than a predetermined threshold,providing the classification for the address; and selecting at least oneof a plurality of carriers to deliver the piece of mail based on theclassification for the destination and the determined probability. 4.The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein selecting the at leastone carrier to deliver the piece of mail comprises: calculating at leastone fee for each of the one or more of the plurality of carriers in thegroup based on the classification for the destination; and selecting thecarrier to deliver the piece of mail based on the at least one fee. 5.An apparatus for determining a carrier to deliver a piece of mail,comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform operationscomprising: receiving address information indicating a destination forthe piece of mail, the destination including a standardized postal codefor the destination, searching a table for the standardized postal code;providing a classification for the destination from information in thetable when the standardized postal code is found within the table;determining a probability of the destination having the classificationwhen the standardized postal code is not found within the table,providing the classification for the address, when the determinedprobability is greater than a predetermined threshold, and selecting atleast one of a plurality of carriers to deliver the piece of mail basedon the classification for the destination and the determinedprobability.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the operation ofselecting the at least one carrier to deliver the piece of mailcomprises: calculating at least one fee for each of the one or more ofthe plurality of carriers in the group based on the classification forthe destination; and selecting the carrier to deliver the piece of mailbased on the at least one fee.